THORNVILLE - Hundreds gathered Sunday at Buckeye Lake Winery in Thornville to take the chilly plunge into Buckeye Lake for fun and to support a good cause.

And the fact the recent unseasonably high temperatures turned wintry cold didn’t deter Bob Hahn, of Buckeye Lake, who dressed as a pirate for the jump.

“The cold gives it the full effect,” said Hahn, who was taking the plunge for the first time.

Alhough he had never jumped in Buckeye Lake in low temperatures, he knew what he was in for.

“I expect to lose my breath and to be ready to look for the paramedics when I get out of the water,” Hahn said with a laugh.

Sunday marked the fourth annual Polar Bear Plunge at Buckeye Lake Winery at 13750 Rosewood Road, an event that is part of Buckeye Lake Winterfest. Participants, many of whom dress in costumes, love the thrill, but they also are taking the plunge to raise money for the Friends of Buckeye Lake Library, said winery owner Tracy Higginbotham.

“This area is economically depressed, and the library is critical for people in the community, especially those who are job searching or pursuing an education,” he said.

The number of jumpers has “more than doubled” since the first year of the plunge, Higginbotham said, and he expected at least 175 people would take to the water this year.

After the first year, Higginbotham joined with the Buckeye Lake Chamber of Commerce to make the plunge part of the annual Winterfest, an event designed to bring the community and visitors out to support local businesses.

The Polar Bear Plunge generates between $5,000 to $7,500 for various maintenance and upkeep of the library, Higginbotham said. This year’s fundraiser also will support the purchase of equipment for a new rescue van for the Millersport Fire Department, whose members are on hand at the event each year for safety purposes. An anonymous donation has already been made for the equipment and will be matched by employees.

Higginbotham said the goal for this year’s plunge is to raise $10,000.

“I think we are going to hit our goal,” he said. “It’s supporting the community. Not just local businesses, but infrastructure. It’s a lot of fun, too.”

Higginbotham said many people have returned each year to make the jump, including his high school gym teacher, Ruth Sunkle, who lives in Millersport.

“It’s my way to give back to the community. I always bring a group of friends with me to take the plunge,” said Sunkle, who was dressing as a penguin to make the jump.

Although she comes for the fun and to support the community, the annual plunge also has meaning for Sunkle.

“It’s kind of a spiritual thing for me. It’s baptismal,” she said. “It’s my way to celebrate a new year.”

Doug and Jane Stammler, of Columbus, take turns each year jumping with their two grandchildren, Olivia and Jackson O’nan. Doug Stammler took the plunge last year; this year was Jane Stammler’s turn.

“We are here to make memories,” she said, anticipating what the water was going to feel like in the low temperatures.

“I expect to be really cold,” she said.

Although Doug Stammler was a spectator this year, he remembered what it was like last year to jump into the lake.

“When you hit that water, the only thing on your mind is getting out quickly,” he said with a laugh.